KINGDOM CITY, Mo. - Wyatt Branson wrecked Bowling Green's defense.
North Callaway's senior running back piled up 187 yards rushing and three scores, and also caught a touchdown pass Friday night as the Thunderbirds roughed up the Bowling Green Bobcats in a 50-14 Eastern Missouri Conference romp.
The victory was the fourth in a row for North Callaway, which pushed its season record to 6-2 and its EMO mark to 5-1. Bowling Green suffered its fourth straight loss in plunging to 1-7 overall and 1-5 in conference play.
Senior quarterback Milo Henry had the one touchdown throw and also ran for a pair of scores as the Thunderbirds rolled up 453 yards of total offense.
Henry's 20-yard touchdown run and Branson's two-point conversion gave North Callaway an early 8-0 advantage with 8 minutes, 30 seconds to play in the first quarter. The Bobcats tied the game on a 23-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Noah Gamm to senior tight end Beau Brandt - followed by junior tight end Stephen Merz's run for the two-point conversion - at the 4:33 mark.
Branson put the Thunderbirds in front to stay on a 57-yard touchdown burst, making it 14-8 with 3:05 left in the quarter. Branson then scored on a 20-yard run and added the two-point conversion with 9:21 remaining in the second quarter.
North Callaway pulled away behind a 20-point outburst in the third quarter, starting with Henry's 10-yard touchdown run at the 9:17 mark. Branson then caught a 30-yard touchdown pass from Henry with 6:58 to go in the quarter and capped off his big night with another 57-yard touchdown run with :08 left.
The Thunderbirds picked up a score from their defense in the fourth quarter when senior cornerback AJ Stubblefield returned an interception 31 yards for a touchdown with 11:46 remaining in the game.
Branson finished with 10 carries as he was responsible for the bulk of North Callaway's 254-yard rushing total. He also had three catches for 61 yards, while junior running back Adam Reno contributed four receptions for 54 yards.
Henry was 12-of-21 passing for 195 yards and two interceptions.
The Thunderbirds' defense forced two turnovers and held Bowling Green to just 47 total yards.
North Callaway closes out the regular season this week when it plays at neighboring EMO rival Montgomery County (2-6, 2-4). The Wildcats bowed in a 39-16 conference loss at Wright City on Friday night.
The Thunderbirds are in fourth place in the Class 2, District 5 standings with 41.49 points. Hallsville (4-4) is fifth with 33.86 points.
The top four teams host first-round district games Oct. 21.